HOKA

French sports brand HOKA has become a household name in recent years.

Founded by two Frenchmen Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard in 2009, and originally intended for hiking sneakers, HOKA saw a rise to great popularity in the early 2020s with their lifestyle silhouettes.

The brand's sneakers can be immediately recognised by their cutting-edge technologies and modern design.

Sneaker Design and Technology

With their cutting-edge technologies, HOKA's lightweight sneakers are very popular with athletes around the world. In particular, the HOKA Gaviota 5 model is a popular silhouette, as well as the Clifton 9 and Speedgoat 5.

HOKA's curved Meta-Rocker, engineered into the sole of the shoe, keeps runners from landing flat and propels you forward with a boost of propulsion.

Their Active Foot Frame secures the heel in place and cradles the foot so it becomes part of the shoe, resulting in ultimate support and stability.

The HOKA models also use GORE-TEX, a waterproof and breathable material. and EVA foam midsoles which provides cushioning and comfort.

The History of HOKA

HOKA is a fairly young sneaker brand, compared to competitors such as Nike, New Balance and PUMA.

The brand was founded in 2009 by Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard. The duo wanted to design a sneaker that would provide grip while running down mountains. The shoe came with an enlarged outsole that allowed one to "fly" down the mountain.

In 2013, the company was acquired by Deckers Brands, also the parent company of UGGs and Teva.

Now, more than a decade later, the athletic shoes are also very popular as lifestyle sneakers.

Did you know?

HOKA first went by the name HOKA One One, a phrase of New Zealand's indigenous Maori that loosely translates as "to fly over the earth."